How a VC Can Affect Your Heart

Many people have occasional PVCs with no problems. If they occur regularly, PVCs can weaken your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart failure.

A bundle of fibers located in the top right portion of your heart (the sinoatrial node, also known as SA) typically regulates your heart rhythm. Electrical signals travel to the lower heart chambers or ventricles.

Causes

PVCs occur when the electrical impulse which normally starts your heartbeat at the Sinus Node (also called the Sinoatrial or the SA node) does not. Instead, the impulse is generated in a different area of your heart--the ventricles--and causes an untimed beat. These extra beats, also called ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, can feel like your heart skipped a beat, or tailored window repair it feels like it is like it is fluttering. They can occur rarely, causing no symptoms, but they could also happen frequently enough to impact your quality of living. Your doctor might prescribe medication in the event that they are frequent or cause weakness, dizziness or fatigue.

In most people, PVCs are harmless and aren't likely to increase your risk of heart disease or other health problems. Over time, frequent PVCs can weaken the heart muscle. This is particularly true if the PVCs result from an illness like dilated Cardiomyopathy and Window cleaning service arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy which can cause heart failure.

The signs of PVCs include a feeling that your heart skips a beat or it flutters. You may feel breathless. The fluttering can be more apparent when you exercise or consume certain drinks or food items. People with chronic anxiety or stress can have more PVCs, and some medications such as amiodarone, digoxin, and cocaine may increase the chance of developing them.

If you are experiencing occasional PVCs Your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes and medication. If you experience frequent PVCs, fitters your physician may recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks such as caffeine and alcohol. You can also lower your stress levels by having enough sleep and working out.

If you have many PVCs Your doctor may recommend a medical procedure referred to as radiofrequency catheter ablation, which eliminates the cells responsible for them. This procedure is performed by a specialist known as an electrophysiologist. It is usually successful in treating the PVCs and reducing symptoms however, it doesn't prevent them from occurring in the future. In certain cases, it may increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is which can result in stroke. It's not common, but it can be life-threatening.

Signs and symptoms

Premature ventricular contractions or PVCs, may make your heart appear to skip or flutter one beat. These extra heartbeats are generally harmless, however, you should talk to your doctor if you have frequent episodes or other symptoms such as dizziness or weakness.

The electrical signals normally begin in the sinoatrial, located in the upper right corner of the heart. They then travel to the lower chambers, or ventricles, which pump blood. The ventricles contract to pump blood into the lungs. They return to the heart's center to start the next cycle of pumping. A PVC begins in a different place, the Purkinje fibres bundle at the left-hand side of the heart.

When PVCs occur, they cause the heart beat or feel like it skipped a beat. If you have only one or two episodes, and no other symptoms are present the cardiologist will likely not prescribe treatment. But if you have a large number of PVCs, the doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, to measure the heart's rate over the course of 24 hours. The doctor may also suggest wearing a Holter monitor that will track your heartbeat over time, allowing you to see the number of PVCs you have.

Anyone who has suffered a heart attack in the past or have cardiomyopathy -which affects the way that the heart pumps blood -and should take their PVCs seriously and speak with an expert in cardiology about lifestyle changes. These include abstaining from alcohol, caffeine and smoking, managing anxiety and stress, and ensuring adequate sleep. A cardiologist may also prescribe medication to slow the heartbeat such as a beta blocker.

If you experience frequent PVCs, even if you do not have other symptoms you should see an expert in cardiology. These heartbeats that are irregular can indicate problems with the structure of your heart or to other health conditions and, over time, when they happen frequently enough, they can weaken the heart muscle. However, most people with PVCs do not experience any issues. They simply want to know that the fluttering or skippy heartbeats aren't typical.

Diagnosis

PVCs can be akin to heartbeats that are fluttering, especially if they are frequent and intense. People who experience them regularly may feel faint. Exercise can trigger them, but most athletes who experience these symptoms do not have heart or health issues. PVCs could show up in tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor. These use sticky patches with sensors on them to record electrical signals from your heart. A cardiologist can also perform an ultrasound echocardiogram for examining the heart.

A doctor may be able to tell whether someone is suffering from PVCs from a history and physical examination. Sometimes, however, they may only notice PVCs when examining a patient for another reason, such as after an accident or surgery. Ambulatory ECG monitors can detect PVCs as well as other arrhythmias. They may be used to identify cardiac problems in the event of any concern.

If your cardiologist concludes that your heart's structure is normal, reassurance will be the only treatment needed. However, if your symptoms are causing discomfort or make you feel anxious, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and other decongestants and reducing stress can aid. Getting regular exercise, staying at a healthy weight, and drinking enough water can decrease the likelihood of PVCs. If you are experiencing symptoms that are persistent or severe, talk to your doctor about medications that may be able to reduce these symptoms.

Treatment

If PVCs are rare or do not cause symptoms, they do not usually need treatment. If you have them often or frequently, your doctor may wish to check for any other heart problems and suggest lifestyle changes or medicine. You might also get an operation to rid yourself of them (called radiofrequency catheter ablation).

If you have PVCs The electrical signal that triggers your heartbeat is generated from a place other than the sinoatrial node (SA node) located in the upper right side of your heart. This can make it feel like your heart skips beats or is beating faster. PVCs are more frequent among those with heart problems however, it's not clear what causes them. PVCs can increase in frequency as you age, and may occur more often during exercising.

A doctor should perform an ECG as well as an echocardiogram on a patient that has frequent and painful PVCs to identify structural heart conditions. The doctor will also likely conduct an exercise stress test in order to determine if the additional heartbeats are caused by physical exercise. A heart catheterization or cardiac MRI or window Hardware repair nuclear perfusion study can be performed to find other causes of the extra beats.

Most people with PVCs do not suffer from any issues and can live an ordinary life. They could increase the risk of dangerous heart rhythm disorders particularly if they develop in certain patterns. In some cases this means that the heart muscle becomes weaker and is unable to pump blood throughout your body.

Regular exercise and a balanced diet can reduce your risk of developing PVCs. Avoid foods high in fat and sodium, and limit your intake of tobacco and caffeine. Stress and sleep are also crucial. Certain medicines can also increase your risk of PVCs. If you take any of these medicines, it is important to follow your doctor's advice about eating healthy, exercising, and taking your medication.

Studies of patients who had an excessive amount of PVCs (that's more than 20% of their total heart beats) found that they had a higher incidence of arrhythmia-induced cardiomyopathy. This could lead to the need for a heart transplant in some patients.